Changing one’s eye color permanently has become possible with the approval of two surgical procedures, however, this bodily alteration can come with significantly more risks than putting on some colored contacts, according to medical experts.
Procedures called iris implants received US Food and Drug Administration approval in 2018 for people who are missing part or all of their iris, the colored ring that shines through the clear cornea, but no procedure is approved for cosmetic purposes.
In January, the American Academy of Ophthalmology issued a warning about the risks of vision loss and complications with iris implants and one called keratopigmentation, also known as eye-tattooing.
With keratopigmentation, a surgeon will use a needle or laser to make space in the cornea and then inject pigment into the cornea to hide the original color of the iris. While the procedure is not reversible, it can be tweaked if a patient decides they want a different shade, and sometimes a touch-up may be needed if the color fades over time, according to Dr. Cyril Maillon of Flaak (keratopigmentation) In Paris.
Yet, the risks often associated with eye color change procedures include dye leakage, allergic reactions to the dye and the potential risk of infection, Dr. Ashley Brissette, a spokesperson for the organization and assistant professor of ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York Presbyterian Hospital, said in January when the American Academy of Ophthalmology released its warning against the surgeries. Other concerns include light sensitivity and damage to the cornea that can lead to cloudiness or vision loss, she added.
“Anything that we do with the eyes, we have to be very, very cautious, and we want people to know all of the information so they can make a decision that’s right for them,” said Brissette. “Really, it was just to outline the risk of doing these cosmetic procedures.”
In 2023, a small study of people who had the procedure in France found that most noticed some pain afterward, along with dry eye, glare and a tingling sensation. However, many patients found most of the symptoms went away within two days. A few people reported pain and tingling for several months after, but a majority of the patients reported they were highly satisfied with the procedure.
Nevertheless, some health professionals still assert the risks may outweigh the benefits when these surgeries are done for purely cosmetic reasons.
“Don’t think that these surgeries carry no risk,” said JoAnn A. Giaconi, MD, clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “No surgery is free of risk. With purely cosmetic surgeries on the eye, it’s just not worth the risk when it comes to your good vision.”
